Regional Jobs Now Package nothing new?

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Baird Government are being slammed for their announcement of a Regional Jobs Now Package which is set to accelerate jobs and businesses across regional NSW.

Shadow Minister for Regional Development David Harris has accused the government of pulling the wool over the eyes of people in regional NSW, by re-packaging a scheme which was already in the pipeline.

Minister John Barilaro announced the package yesterday as part of the Jobs for NSW scheme and according to David Harris, re-packaged it as the Regional Jobs Now package totaling around $57 million.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald says the scheme isn't a re-announcement, rather it is a refined scheme to provide entrepreneurs with structure and guidance.

Late last year a $190 million scheme was announced, and Scot MacDonald says this new scheme is taking from the same 'pot of money'.

"It's disappointing David talking down regional economic development. This package is about assisting our emerging businesses and that's exactly what we need in regional NSW, so yes it's a refinement of the package, it is from the same pool but this really goes some way in assisting those emerging and existing businesses."